Huayu 2007: Starting with fleecing the "Fairy Sisters"

Next, Wu Wei led the creative team to Xishuangbanna and several surrounding cities and counties to conduct on-site surveys of the candidate locations selected by the preliminary survey team.

The most important element of youth campus movies is the campus itself.

They visited more than a dozen schools in total, and finally chose a private high school in Jinghong City, whose campus environment perfectly matched the setting in the script.

The overall style is clean and bright, with lots of green plants and a spacious playground, giving it a tropical campus feel.

The school was very cooperative and agreed to rent the entire winter break to the film crew.

The school scenes were filmed during this period, which was more than enough.

After settling on the campus, Wu Wei led her team to scout several other key locations—the female lead's home, the small shop she and her friends frequented, the male lead's family's shop, and so on.

A dozen days later, the location scouting work officially ended.

Anle Company sent a whole team here to handle the contract process and make preparations before filming.

Wu Wei bought a plane ticket and flew back to Beijing.

After returning to school, he first dealt with some academic matters.

Although there are no more classes in the senior year, I still have to write my graduation thesis.

He finalized his thesis topic with his advisor and discussed his upcoming schedule with him, confirming that he could focus his energy on the film first.

We'll talk about the thesis after the New Year.

After finishing his studies, Wu Wei went to the Beijing Film Academy.

He first approached Zhang Ruoyun, Tan Songyun, Kan Qingzi, and Chai Biyun to understand their grasp of the script.

All four of them cherished this opportunity. They had memorized their lines perfectly, and even figured out some small details on their own.

However, being a newcomer, there are still many issues with his understanding of the character and the overall pacing of his performance.

Wu Wei didn't hesitate and immediately activated the "Beginner's Drama Instruction Aura".

A strange feeling welled up in his heart, and his thoughts became clearer than ever before. All his understanding of the script, characters, and performances seemed to be organized in an orderly manner by an invisible hand.

As soon as he opened his mouth, those thoughts that might have been expressed imprecisely were smoothly transformed into clear and easy-to-understand words.

As the group listened to his explanation, their eyes grew brighter and brighter, and some previously unclear points suddenly became clear.

Tan Songyun couldn't help but exclaim, "Director Wu, how come you explained it so clearly? It's even easier to understand than what our teacher explained!"

Wu Wei smiled and said, "That's because you're quick to understand. You understood as soon as I explained it."

Next, their performance improved significantly.

Wu Wei felt that if he simply took a camera and filmed it, it could be used as a finished film.

He knew that this was the effect of the "basic acting aura" improving his acting skills.

Seeing the rapid improvement in the actors' performances, Wu Wei had even more confidence in the film.

……

That evening, Wu Wei treated them to dinner.

As they chatted at the dinner table, he casually inquired about Yang Mi: "By the way, have you seen Yang Mi at school recently?"

Yang Mi has acted in TV dramas and movies in recent years, making her a big celebrity at school, so naturally everyone knows her.

"I just saw her yesterday," Kan Qingzi said immediately. "She seemed to have just returned from the film set a few days ago."

"Are you going to cast her in a movie?" Kan Qingzi asked curiously.

"Yes, I'd like to ask her to play the role of Xiao Bin. It's not a big role, but it's quite important."

Wu Wei nodded, then asked, "Do you know where she usually goes?"

"It seems like she's been catching up on her studies these past few days, basically spending all her time in the rehearsal room."

Kan Qingzi thought for a moment and said, "If you want to find her, I can help you arrange to meet her. It's not convenient for someone from another school like you to get into the rehearsal room."

"Okay, then I'll leave it to you."

"It's my duty to do things for Director Wu!"

……

The next afternoon, Wu Wei met Yang Mi at the entrance of a rehearsal room at the Beijing Film Academy.

She wore a thin, white, fitted sweater that accentuated her ample bosom, paired with skinny jeans. Her hair was tied in a neat ponytail, revealing her smooth forehead.

Her features were exquisite, especially her eyes, which were bright and sparkling, exuding a lively spirit.

At this time, she was only 21 years old. Compared with the powerful and charismatic Yang Mi in later generations, she now had more of a girlish gentleness and softness, and less of a sharp and shrewdness.

"Hello, Yang Mi."

Wu Wei walked over with a smile and greeted him, "I'm Wu Wei."

"I know you."

Yang Mi tilted her head slightly, her two fox-like eyes curiously examining him: "I've heard your songs before, 'A Person Like Me' is quite good."

"Thanks."

Wu Wei didn't beat around the bush and stated his purpose directly: "I came to see you today because I want to invite you to play a role in my movie. It's not a big role, but it's perfect for you."

"What movie?" Yang Mi asked.

"A youth campus film called 'First Love,' a project by Anle Company."

When Yang Mi heard the words "Anle", her expression became slightly serious, but after thinking for a moment, she shook her head: "I've been really busy lately. I've been filming 'The Great Qin Road' for more than four months, and I've fallen behind in my studies. I need to catch up quickly. In addition, I also need to prepare for the rehearsal of the year-end stage play at Beijing Film Academy. I really can't find the time."

I know you're busy.

Wu Wei said calmly, "But that role doesn't have many scenes. You can come and film for a few days during your winter break. It won't take up too much of your time."

Yang Mi looked at him, paused for two seconds, and then said directly, "Then I'll be frank with you too—this role is too small, I can't take it right now."

She said this in a straightforward but not harsh tone.

Wu Wei understood that although Yang Mi was only a junior in college, she had already played Guo Xiang and acted as the female lead in a movie, and was a real actress with works to her name.

Taking on such a minor role with limited screen time would definitely lower one's status.

But he insisted on casting her in this role.

"Don't rush to refuse."

Hearing her say that, Wu Wei wasn't in a hurry. Instead, he smiled and said, "You must have had a tough time filming this movie. You've been filming for so long, and you even went to the grasslands."

Yang Mi was taken aback by his question, then nodded: "It is quite tiring."

Wu Wei's tone turned serious: "What if I told you that all your hard work these past few months might have been in vain? How would you feel?"

Yang Mi frowned: "What do you mean?"

"I looked up the TV series 'The Great Qin Road'."

Wu Wei spoke calmly and confidently: "I'm pretty sure your show won't air, at least not in China!"

"How could that be?"

Yang Mi immediately retorted, "That's a big production costing over 30 million!"